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Spotify identifies rising country artists

Nate Rau
nrau@tennessean.com

Spotify, the popular streaming service that met new scrutiny this year, unveiled this week its list of top country artists to watch in 2015.

The list, which the company dubbed Spotlight Country, highlighted rising artists Old Dominion, Cam, Michael Ray, Mickey Guyton and 16 others. The company created a Spotlight on Country playlist that is available to subscribers.

"Spotify champions new musical talent through its 'Spotlight' playlists, found within 'Browse' on Spotify, helping to get music fans closer to some of the most exciting talent around with exclusive content," a press release from Spotify stated. "Spotify also supports many of its Spotlight artists by hosting them for live sessions and one-on-one interviews."

Spotify compiled the list based on internal data and in-house experts. The goal is to showcase new country artists the streaming service believes will break big and connect with fans in the coming year.

Sam Hunt and Brandy Clark are among those who have made the list in the past.

Other Spotlight on Country 2015 artists include Canaan Smith, Logan Mize, Steven Lee Olsen, The Railers, Kelsea Ballerini, Aaron Watson, Jillian Jacqueline, Adam Sanders, Chris Lane, Striking Matches, Sarah Ross, Mo Pitney, Courtney Cole, Clare Dunn, Dallas Smith and Caitlyn Smith.

It's been a year of growth and media scrutiny for Spotify, which has worked hard to make inroads with Nashville companies. The service found itself the subject of international media coverage when Nashville artists such as Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean removed music from Spotify.

Spotify argues that the service can be especially beneficial for ascending artists. The company's service is available in 58 markets globally with 50 million active users and 12.5 million paying subscribers.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and on Twitter @tnnaterau.